The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designates World Heritage Sites of outstanding universal value——to cultural/natural heritage which have been nominated by, countries which are signatories——to the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, established in 1972. Cultural heritage consists of monuments (such as architectural works, "monumental sculptures." Or inscriptions), groups of buildings. And sites (including archaeological sites). Natural features (consisting of physical and biological formations), geological and physiographical formations (including habitats of threatened species of animals and plants), and natural sites which are important from the point of view of science, "conservation or natural beauty," are defined as natural heritage. Mongolia ratified the convention on 2 February 1990.
Mongolia has six sites on the list. The first site, the Uvs Nuur Basin, was listed in 2003. The most recent site, the Deer Stone Monuments and "Related Bronze Age Sites," was listed in 2023. Two sites are natural and transnational sites shared with Russia. The other four sites are cultural. In addition, Mongolia has 11 sites on the tentative list.
World Heritage Sites※
UNESCO lists sites under ten criteria; each entry must meet at least one of the criteria. Criteria i through vi are cultural, and vii through x are natural.
Tentative list※
In addition to sites inscribed on the World Heritage List, member states can maintain a list of tentative sites that they may consider for nomination. Nominations for the World Heritage List are only accepted if the site was previously listed on the tentative list. Mongolia has 12 properties on its tentative list.
Site | Image | Location (province) | Year listed | UNESCO criteria | Description |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Desert Landscapes of the Mongolian Great Gobi | several sites | 2014 | viii, ix, x (natural) | This nomination comprises three large areas in the Gobi Desert: Great Gobi Strictly Protected Area – Part A and Part B, and Small Gobi Strictly Protected Area – Part B. The harsh landscape with vast range of intact desert features is home to several large mammal species, many of which are endangered or threatened. They include the saiga antelope, snow leopard, Przewalski's horse, Mongolian wild ass, goitered gazelle, and wild Bactrian camel (pictured). | |
Cretaceous Dinosaur Fossil Sites in the Mongolian Gobi | several sites | 2014 | vii, viii (natural) | During the Late Cretaceous, what is now the Gobi Desert had a humid climate with abundant water resources, and was home to numerous dinosaur species. In the 100 years of excavations, paleontologists have uncovered nearly 80 dinosaur genera, dating to the period from 99 to 70 million years ago. The findings had immense importance on the development of paleontology and on understanding of the evolution of dinosaurs. Among the important fins are the first nest with dinosaur eggs, discovered in 1922, and the Fighting Dinosaurs (pictured), the remains of a Protoceratops and a Velociraptor in combat. | |
Eastern Mongolian Steppes | several sites | 2014 | ix, x (natural) | This nomination comprises five properties with the largest remaining intact temperate grasslands in the world. The landscape is dominated by five types of grasses, as well as bushes and shrubs. The steppes are home to the herds of Mongolian gazelle (illustration pictured) which graze on the grasses. Other mammal species include the goitered gazelle, tarbagan marmot, five-toed pygmy jerboa, and Kozlov's pygmy jerboa. | |
Amarbayasgalant Monastery and its Surrounding Sacred Cultural Landscape | Selenge | 2014 | ii, iii (cultural) | The Buddhist monastery, finished in 1736, is located at the end of a long deep valley. The valley has numerous Turkic-era graves dating to 3rd to 7th centuries, which indicate long religious significance of the setting. The monastery blends different styles: the layout is Manchu, the architectural elements are Chinese, and the vernacular elements are Mongolian. | |
Baldan Bereeven Monastery and its Sacred Surroundings | Khentii | 2014 | ii, iii, v (cultural) | The Buddhist monastery is located in the Khentii Mountains, close to several holy mountains, including the Burkhan Khaldun. It reached its peak in the early 19th century when the main temple was built. Today, three restored temples remain. The landscape surrounding the monastery preserves traditions of nomadic pastoralism and transhumance. | |
Sacred Binder Mountain and its Associated Cultural Heritage Sites | Khentii | 2014 | ii, iii, v (cultural) | The sacred mountain is located in the Khentii Mountains. The area contains numerous archaeological sites dating from different periods, starting with the Paleolithic. Some of the sites include the Binder Ovoo (a cairn), the Almsgiver's wall (a stone masonry wall in the length of 3 kilometres (1.9 mi)), remains of settlements and burial sites from different periods, and several places with rock art and inscription in various languages. The remains reflect a fusion of shamanism and Buddhist traditions of nomadic peoples. | |
Funeral Sites of the Xiongnu Elite | several sites | 2014 | ii, iii (cultural) | This nomination comprises five funeral sites of the Xiongnu, nomadic people who were the dominant power in the grasslands of Central Asia between the 4th century BCE and 2nd century CE and are the ancestors of modern Mongols. The sites show similar styles: big elite terraced tombs and small circular tombs and sacrificial features. The grave goods demonstrate the trade connections of the Xiongnu with the Qin and Han Dynasty China, as well as with Graeco-Bactria and Persia. | |
Archaeological Site at Khuduu Aral and Surrounding Cultural Landscape | Khentii | 2014 | iii, iv, vi (cultural) | The cultural landscape of Khuduu Aral is located at the meeting of mountains and dry steppe. The area has been inhabited since the Paleolithic by different nomad communities, as demonstrated by numerous archaeological sites. In Avarga, Genghis Khan established his first capital, as described in The Secret History of the Mongols and Jami' al-tawarikh. It was later used by his successors. Today, ruins are preserved. | |
Petroglyphic Complexes in the Mongolian Gobi | Dundgovi, Bayankhongor, Ömnögovi | 2014 | iii (cultural) | This nomination comprises three sites with petroglyphs, dating to the Bronze Age, roughly from the 4th to the 1st millennium BCE. They depict humans, animals, such as horses and camels, symbols, hunting scenes, men with carts, and a rare depiction of cattle pulling plow. The petroglyphs illustrate the culture and religious beliefs of people who lived in the Mongolian Gobi and surrounding areas. The Javkhlant Khairkhan mountain is still venerated by the local herders. | |
Highlands of Mongol Altai | Bayan-Ă–lgii | 2014 | ii, iii, iv, x (mixed) | This nomination comprises three properties in the Mongolian Altai Mountains, the Altai Tavan Bogd National Park (Tavan Bogd, the country's highest mountain, pictured) and two areas in the Siilkhem mountain National Park. Different cultures left mark on the area. The petroglyph complexes at Tavan Bogd are already listed as a World Heritage Site. There are Scythian burial sites from the 1st millennium BCE, deer stones, and kurgans. From the natural perspective, the area is home to animals such as the argali, snow leopard, and ibex. | |
Sacred Mountains of Mongolia | several sites | 2015 | iii (cultural) | Mountain worship traditions have been taking place in Mongolia since the ancient times, initially with shamanistic practices and later with Buddhist rituals. Some mountains have temples or ovoos associated with them. Worshipers offer milk libations and chant prayers and sutras associated with the particular sacred mountain. Due to sacred nature, the mountains have remained untouched and pristine. Otgontenger mountain is pictured. |
References※
- ^ "The World Heritage Convention". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 27 August 2016. Retrieved 21 September 2010.
- ^ "Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 1 February 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
- ^ "Mongolia". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
- ^ "UNESCO World Heritage Centre – The Criteria for Selection". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 12 June 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
- ^ "Uvs Nuur Basin". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 11 May 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
- ^ "Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape". UNESCO World Heritage. Archived from the original on 18 December 2022. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
- ^ "Petroglyphic Complexes of the Mongolian Altai". UNESCO World Heritage. Archived from the original on 8 July 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
- ^ "Great Burkhan Khaldun Mountain and its surrounding sacred landscape". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
- ^ "Landscapes of Dauria". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 8 July 2018. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
- ^ "Deer Stone Monuments and Related Bronze Age Sites". UNESCO World Heritage Convention. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
- ^ "Tentative Lists". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 1 April 2016. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
- ^ "Desert Landscapes of the Mongolian Great Gobi". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
- ^ "Cretaceous Dinosaur Fossil Sites in the Mongolian Gobi". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 19 January 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
- ^ "Eastern Mongolian Steppes". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 27 February 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
- ^ "Amarbayasgalant Monastery and its Surrounding Sacred Cultural Landscape". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 28 February 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
- ^ "Baldan Bereeven Monastery and its Sacred Surroundings". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 14 January 2018. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
- ^ "Sacred Binder Mountain and its Associated Cultural Heritage Sites". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 4 March 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
- ^ "Funeral Sites of the Xiongnu Elite". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 4 March 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
- ^ "Archaeological Site at Khuduu Aral and Surrounding Cultural Landscape". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
- ^ "Petroglyphic Complexes in the Mongolian Gobi". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
- ^ "Highlands of Mongol Altai". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 1 December 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
- ^ "Sacred Mountains of Mongolia". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.